Stories by Robin Martin

An errant piece of chewing gum provided the unlikely inspiration for a pre-Christmas pampering event in New Plymouth.

Māori are facing a demographic time bomb that cannot be ignored, says Rauawaawa Kaumātua Charitable Trust chief executive Rangimahora Reddy.

New Plymouth District Council has done a u-turn and voted to crack down on freedom camping.

Earthquake damage to Yarrow Stadium has wiped out the local union's cash reserves, the local district council has been told.

Taranaki farmers say they will be collateral damage if a recommendation that safety exclusion zones be enforced around oil and gas installations is taken up.

The most tattooed person in the world was among the star attractions at the New Zealand Tattoo and Arts Festival in New Plymouth over the weekend.

The mayor of South Taranaki has no plans to resign after it was revealed he was on a judging panel that awarded second prize to a float in an A&P parade featuring people in blackface.

Almost 70 Kiwibuild homes are to be built in a neglected New Plymouth neighbourhood more than a decade after a new housing project was first promised.

Guaranteeing gas supply could prove the stumbling block for a $1 billion project being mooted for Taranaki, according to New Plymouth MP Jonathan Young.

New Plymouth residents fear there will be an influx of freedom campers after a bylaw was incorrectly drafted and sent back to the drawing board.

Taranaki's councils have accepted a deal to ship the region's waste hundreds of kilometres away to the Bonny Glen mega-dump near Marton.

The Taranaki Regional Council has issued an abatement notice to a farmer after a herd of cows was grazing unrestricted near the banks of "particularly sensitive" stream.

Waitara hapū are divided over their support for a Bill designed to end one of New Zealand's longest running land disputes.

A New Plymouth businessman facing a raft of methamphetamine related charges has signalled he wants bail so he can attend a rehabilitation clinic in Auckland.

A Taranaki man accused of blackmailing DOC in an attempt to end its 1080 pest contol programme has lost a bid to keep his name secret.

The operator of an oil field off the coast of South Taranaki has warned that if no further development is undertaken the resource could soon be uneconomic.

A state-of-the-art covered stadium has been proposed to replace earthquake-prone Yarrow Stadium in New Plymouth.

Hapū members will ultimately decide whether a bill designed to bring an end to one of New Zealand's longest running land disputes is endorsed or not, a Waitara leader says.

New Plymouth's oldest cemetery and one of its hidden gems has been transformed into a riot of spring colour by a group of publicity-shy - ghost-like - volunteers.

More than 15,000 people from Auckland to Bluff reported feeling yesterday's 6.2 quake - but those living right near the epicentre hardly noticed it.

A proposal to truck Taranaki's waste up to 300km away is being considered by the region's councils, despite $7m already being spent on developing a $42 million local landfill.

Visitors to this year's Taranaki Garden Festival are encouraged to bring a healthy appetite, an ear for music and a notepad.

A paddock in central Taranaki has been transformed into a massive open air studio after Stratford sculptor Tai Meuli invited a few of his mates over.

Lambs took their opportunity to hog centre stage at Ngaere School's "show day" in Taranaki yesterday with families being asked to keep calves on the farm in the wake of the Mycoplasma bovis scare.

Two men charged with murdering Mongrel Mob member Kevin Ratana in August entered no plea when they appeared in court this afternoon.